It’s been 45 days or so since the conclusion of the Barrett-Jackson 2024 Scottsdale Auction, an extravaganza of excellence with an exhausting number of cars and trucks. Are ya ready for another one, this time on the other side of the country? Then mark your calendar for April 18-20 and head to Florida for the Barrett-Jackson 2024 Palm Beach Auction.
As usual, the docket’s full of variety and, as your faithful curators of the collector car hobby, here’s a sampling of the variety available for you to buy.
1933 Pierce-Arrow 1242 LeBaron Convertible Sedan
Pierce-Arrow was one of the most prestigious American car brands when the Great Depression did it in.You can mention other American pre-war classics – Packard, Cadillac, Marmon, and Peerless among them – but none were as recognizable as the Pierce-Arrow due to its trademark fared-in headlamps. Nineteen thirty-three is significant due to the increasing influence of streamlining, and this model 1242 convertible sedan stands out as being a V12 on a 139-inch wheelbase.
Better yet, this is not an in-house four-door convertible – LeBaron was commissioned for the build. One-hundred seventy-five horsepower was available from the huge 462cid V12, which was substantial in its time. Rumored to have been delivered to actress Carole Lombard, this majestic classic features driving lamps and sidemounts, and it is one of three known to exist according to the Pierce-Arrow Society Register.
1959 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
This Cadillac has been overshadowed by the 1957-58 Eldorado Brougham, likely due to the earlier car’s opulent and unique styling, but there’s plenty that’s special about the ’59 even though it’s not readily apparent. Glance at the roofline, shorn fins with different taillights, and cleaner grille – this truly is a Cadillac of a different stripe. In fact, if you squint, you can see how the 1959 Eldorado Brougham is the missing link to the 1961 Cadillac.
Otherwise, the Eldorado Brougham continued to play the role of a $13,000-plus hardtop sedan that was twice as expensive as your typical Caddy, with exclusivity ensured thanks to being coach-built by Pininfarina. This 52,152-mile example, car #53 of 99 built, has had one repaint but the interior is all-original.
1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage
To casual enthusiasts, this is the James Bond Aston, but that was the DB5. What was different about the DB6? Look at the rear and it features a Kammback design with lip spoiler, one of the styling tweaks made due to wind tunnel testing. A wheelbase over three inches longer (including increased length) was also implemented. Other adjustments included raised roof, steeper windshield, and relocated rear axle.
Under the hood was the trusty 4.0-liter DOHC straight-six that was rated at 282 horsepower, though a special Vantage version offered 325 horse via a trio of Webers. This Fiesta Red DB6 Vantage has been upgraded from stock and now features 4.2 liters with unleaded-friendly heads. Plenty of documentation like factory records and certifications is included with the sale.
1969 Pontiac GTO Judge
Pontiac built 6,833 GTOs with the Judge package in 1969. Standard was a 366-horsepower 400 (often referred to as the Ram Air III), but only 302 folks opted for the optional 370-horse Ram Air IV. This frame-off restored Judge hardtop is documented as being one of 239 built with a Ram Air IV backed by a M21 close-ratio four-speed.
Attention to detail is the name of the game with this Goat as it features all the proper components (heads, carburetor, intake, alternator, distributor, and radiator), including the correct T3 headlights, hoses and clamps, JA-code Rally wheels, and more. Inside, you’ll find Rally gauges with in-dash tach, AM radio with reverb, and – surprise! – a bench seat, all verified by PHS paperwork.
There’s plenty of other interesting cars slated for the Barrett-Jackson 2024 Palm Beach Auction, so be sure to look through the docket. Plus, if you have a car or truck to sell, you can consign it and be in the thick of the auction festivities between April 18-20th.
